Wood vs. Composite Decking: What’s Right for You? (Part One)

Published On: June 16, 2016|Categories: Blog, Home Improvements, How-To|

This post is the first of a two-part series on wood and composite decking. If you’re purchasing a new home and considering adding a deck, here’s what you need to know.

Warm summer nights spent out on the deck, the grill sizzling away, surrounded by friends and family. The deck truly is the alternative “family room” in the American household for many months of the year.

If this sounds ideal to you, you’ll want to consider your options when it comes to decking materials. Here we look at two types of decks—wood and composite—and briefly explore the costs and benefits of each.

Wood Decks

If you’re a traditionalist, you’re probably leaning toward installing a wood deck. The good news is, you can’t go wrong here. Most building professionals agree that high-quality, natural wood can stand the test of time, and it’s always the best choice when it comes to building a long lasting deck. Of course, the type of wood you’ll select for your deck will depend largely on your budget. At the lower end of the spectrum, Southern Pine is one of the most popular decking options due to its low cost and wide availability. Pine, however, is subject to warping due to its high moisture content, and requires a great deal more maintenance than higher-end woods.

At the mid-price range is Red Cedar. This is a beautiful wood which gives off an amazing aroma year round, but will unfortunately begin to break down after being exposed to moisture for any considerable period—so climate is a factor with cedar. For a higher-grade wood, you can’t go wrong with mahogany. It’s extremely hard, moisture resistant, nearly flawless and absolutely beautiful, sporting a long, straight grain.

Next up: Composite Decking